Coastal Harvesters Inc. (CHI) grew 131 pounds of fresh vegetables for Hatteras Island’s food pantries this past season. The Salvo Food Pantry and the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men’s Food Pantry in Buxton received several donations of “cool weather crops” between February and April. Collards, kale, cabbage greens, spinach, lettuce and a variety of herbs were picked at CHI’s Hatteras Island Community Garden located in Buxton.
This is the second year CHI has cultivated organically grown produce for the benefit community food pantries. “And they were always real glad to receive it since the pantries were often low on good fresh vegetables”, stated Rick Anzolut, CHI’s vice-president. “We brought the last of the harvest, seven pounds worth, to Saturday’s Earth Day celebration at the school. Visitors to our table left happy with a free bag of healthy greens.”
CHI and Dare County Master Gardener volunteers as well as other community volunteers care for the garden located behind Fox Watersports in Buxton. If you are interested in helping with the ongoing project, please contact co-managers Carol Bauer at 252-489-8980 or Bernie Tetreault at 252-995-4312.
“We are getting the garden ready for summer planting. It is a great group of people and we always have a good time,” says Bauer. CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to making healthy foods available to Outer Bank’s communities. The group also manages the Hatteras Island Farmer’s Market, held weekly during the summer months in Avon.
Volunteers Carol Bauer, Kim Anzolut and Richard Schwartz tend garden produce destined for local food pantries.
Coastal Harvesters Inc. (CHI) and Dare County Master Gardeners harvested and donated fresh, locally grown vegetables to the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men’s Food Pantry in Buxton this past week. Collards, kale and colorful mixed salad greens were picked at CHI’s Hatteras Island Community Garden.
The vegetable crop was planted with the goal of benefiting the local communities. “This is the second year we have cultivated organically grown produce to be distributed through food pantries. Last year much of the produce was given to the Salvo pantry after the tri-village area was severely impacted by Hurricane Irene,” said Carol Bauer, CHI’s garden co-manager.
The Buxton church pantry has served the community since its establishment in 1990. According to Walt Fulcher, one of the founding fathers, the pantry served 3,079 individuals last year. The need is greatest in the winter months when unemployment rises. The group provides food to those referred by Dare County Social Services or a minister.
And did people enjoy having fresh produce provided by the community garden? “It was very well received”, stated an enthusiastic Ray Schaaf who helps distribute food at the pantry each week.
CHI and Master Gardener volunteers as well as other community volunteers care for the garden located behind Fox Watersports in Buxton. If interested in helping with the ongoing project, please contact Rick Anzolut at 804-720-7682. CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to making healthy foods available to Outer Bank’s communities. The group also manages the Hatteras Island Farmer’s Market, held weekly during the summer months in Avon.
L to R: Gardeners Clair Mechtly, Carol Bauer and Carol Seaman delivering locally grown, organic produce to Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men's Food Pantry.
